SNP Westminster Group

The 2015 UK General Election was about sending MPs to Westminster who will put Scotland first and ensure maximum powers are devolved to Holyrood. Opinion polls suggest that maximum devolution of powers is supported by more than 60% of the population. The SNP group will work to achieve this!

Devolution and Independence

One of Scotland’s biggest problems is our poor general health and this will not change unless we can tackle the poverty that leads to blighted lives! For this, we must have control of our economy, taxation and welfare as in the “Vow” of Maximum Devolution made shortly before the referendum vote.

The Smith Commission report is disappointing because it leaves Westminster in control of our funding. It does not give the Scottish Government the power to stimulate our economy and fight inequality through tackling poverty wages. The Scottish budget has already been cut by 7% and is earmarked to drop further by 2017. This will threaten all of our public services.

AyrshireOne of our biggest local challenges is ensuring the survival of Prestwick Airport, and a reduction in Air Passenger Duty is crucial to increase passenger traffic. Devolution of this tax was proposed in the Calman Report in 2009 but never delivered. Sending a large group of SNP MPs will ensure we can press for it to be devolved this time!

Trident
SNP MPs will also fight the unnecessary replacement of Weapons of Mass Destruction at Faslane, saving money and enabling exploration of the oil fields in the Clyde basin and West coast. This would provide work for Clyde shipbuilders, create high quality engineering and oil related jobs in Ayrshire and contribute to the rejuvenation of Prestwick airport.

This General Election was about sending MPs to Westminster who will put Scotland first and ensure maximum powers are devolved to Holyrood. Opinion polls suggest that maximum devolution of powers is supported by more than 60% of the population. The SNP group will work to achieve this!